Preventing Septic System Damage

Read on to learn what you can do to prevent septic system damage and keep your septic system healthy for years to come.

Be Mindful of What You Flush Down the Toilet

Many people treat their toilets as trash cans, flushing just anything they want. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are body waste, toilet paper and wastewater. That means no paper towels, tampons, diapers, coffee grounds, hair, dental floss, condoms, or cigarette butts. A toilet shouldn’t even be used to flush away drain cleaners, paint solvents, floor cleaners, and motor oils. These fluids can not only clog your septic system, but they can also kill the microbes and bacteria that help to break down solid waste in the septic tank.

Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain

Grease in liquid form seems like it will flow smoothly all the way to the leach field without any problems. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Hot grease will eventually solidify when its temperature lowers and cause serious clogs in your pipes. If too much grease ends up in the leach field, it could clog the pores needed to filter and expel wastewater from the septic tank. You should avoid pouring grease, fats, and oils down the drain.

Avoid Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners can be very harmful to the microbes and bacteria in your septic tank. Continued use of chemical drain cleaning solutions can erode your pipes and cause long-term damage to your septic tank. If you have a clog in your drain lines, try using a plunger or plumbing snake to clear it. Excessive use of bleach, toilet bowl cleaners, and antibacterial soaps can be bad for your septic system.

Protect Your Drainfield

Proper maintenance of your drainfield starts with maintaining efficient water usage in your home. Excessive water usage can overwhelm your drainfield and lead to wastewater backup. When the soil in the drainfield is saturated, the excess wastewater can find its way to nearby water sources, leading to contamination.

Here are some of the best practices for taking care of your drainfield:

• Avoid driving or parking vehicles or heavy machinery above a septic system
• Do not plant trees or shrubs close to your drainfield
• Do not build any structures on your drainfield
• Direct your drain spouts away from your drainfield

Have A Reputable Septic Company Inspect Your Septic System Regularly

The average septic system should be inspected and serviced at least every two to five years by a trusted septic company. Regular septic system maintenance helps you to keep all components of your septic system in good working order. Some of the essential septic system maintenance tasks that should be performed regularly include septic tank pumping and septic cleaning. You should also pay attention to signs of septic trouble, conserve as much water as possible, and fix any plumbing leaks.

Reach Out to Septic Blue of Charlotte for Reliable Septic Services

Septic Blue of Charlotte is a professional septic company that provides septic tank pumping, septic cleaning, septic tank repair, septic installations, and other services. Call us today if you need dependable and cost-effective septic services.